The global demand for methyl methacrylate (MMA) has seen a steady rise, with the market expanding by 6% in recent years. Notably, China's MMA market has experienced even stronger growth, with an impressive annual increase of 15%. In 2004, the world's total MMA production capacity stood at approximately 2.5 million tons per year. Today, most production facilities are operating at full capacity, and manufacturers are actively pursuing new projects and expansions to meet rising demand.
MMA is widely used in various applications, including acrylic sheets, molded parts for electronics, automotive components, and signaling boards. The rapid growth in China’s demand has attracted major international players, who are now investing heavily in the region. For instance, the British company Lucite International began operations at its 93,000-ton-per-year MMA plant in Shanghai’s Chemical Industrial Park in July of this year. The second phase of the project is set to expand the capacity to 150,000 tons annually.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. plans to launch its 90,000-ton-per-year MMA facility in Huizhou’s Daya Bay Petrochemical Industrial Park in July 2006. This project will utilize advanced C4 oxidation technology, converting isobutylene into MMA through an oxidation process. Additionally, Mitsubishi Synthetic Fiber Company and Marubeni Corp. have formed a joint venture in Nantong, aiming to build a 100,000-ton-per-year MMA installation within the next year.
German chemical giant Degussa is also ramping up its presence in China. The company intends to construct a combined MMA facility in Shanghai with a minimum capacity of 100,000 tons per year. The project, which will cost around 500 million euros, is expected to be completed by late 2008 or early 2009. While Degussa’s current MMA plant relies on acetone and hydrogen cyanide as feedstocks, the new Chinese facility may adopt the more efficient C4 oxidation route.
The expansion of MMA production in Asia is accelerating rapidly. This year, the region’s total MMA capacity is expected to reach 1.3 million tons. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. is planning to build a 90,000-ton-per-year MMA plant and a 50,000-ton-per-year PMMA plant in Singapore, with a total investment of 2 billion yen. These facilities are scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2008.
In addition, Lucite International has announced plans to construct another MMA plant in Singapore, while Thailand’s MMA company is upgrading its existing production to 83,000 tons per year and adding a 10,000-ton-per-year butyl methacrylate unit. South Korea’s LGMMA company recently completed a 40,000-ton-per-year MMA plant in Yecheon, which became operational in October 2005.
These developments highlight the growing importance of MMA in the global market, especially in Asia, where demand continues to surge and multinational corporations are making significant investments to secure their positions in this dynamic industry.
Kitchen Profiles,Aluminium Kitchen Profiles,Kitchen Aluminium Profile Shutters,Kitchen Cupboard Profiles
Sinogar Metal Co.,Ltd , https://www.sedinoaluminium.com